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MagsForLess.com

MagsForLess.com review: Buyers beware! 131

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Author of the review
12:00 am EDT
Featured review
This review was chosen algorithmically as the most valued customer feedback.

I ordered a renewal of my Sports Illustrated subscription on March 9, 2006 since it was to expire by July, 2006. Sports Illustrated has no record of being contacted about this renewal.

I have emailed this company several times and have received no response. The phone number listed above is an answering machine which gives the following message: “Thank you for calling. Goodbye.”

According to the New York Better Business Bureau, there have been several complaints vs. this firm. In checking opinions.com, numerous people have also complained about not receiving their subscriptions. BUYERS BEWARE! At this point, all I want is my money back.

S. R.

Details:

magazine subscription serviceMagsForLess.com

location: 41 West 72nd Street, 10G
New York, NY 10023
Phone: [protected]
Fax: [protected]

detailed complaint

Order ID:
131480

Order Status:
Order Completed

Date Ordered:
Thu 09 Mar 2006

131 comments
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yvonne peterson young
Enid, US
Jul 23, 2009 9:12 am EDT

they took my money out of my bank account in early june and i have not received Any magazines yet. i either want my magazines or a refund, now. yvonne young 524 n. gore enid ok. 73701 yvonneyoung@suddenlink.net or yvonneyoung26@yahoo.com

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Craig Houghton
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Feb 03, 2008 12:00 am EST

I ordered and paid on-line for a three year subscription to Popular Science from MagsForLess.Com. MagsForLess acknowledged receipt of my payment and stated that delivery would take six to twelve weeks, just long enough that I did not have recourse through my credit card company. After three months, I contacted MagsForLess Customer Service and received no reply. During the next year I sent multiple e-mails and finally received a response. MagsForLess customer service replied that they had made an error, but my three year magazine subscription would be resubmitted and I would start receiving the magazine in six to twelve weeks, a year late. Fours months later, one year and four months total, still no magazine and again absolutely no response to my e-mails. I have now started filing complaints against MagsForLess with anyone who will listen.

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Sanjay Agarwal
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Aug 26, 2007 12:00 am EDT

People there is not much to add that hasn't already been said about this company. Ordered 4 magazines in October, 2006 and nothing for 3 months. Emailed only once (waste of time) with of course no replay. So, called AMEX and being a good customer, they did refund my money. But then I ran across all these websites uniformly complaining about this company. So I wrote to NY AG and 2 months later got a refund from the company.

Seems you CAN get your money back from this company if you write to NY AG ( I did this online). Once they get an inquiry from the NY AG, they quickly refund your money and tell the AG's office that they have already 'taken care' of the refund. I am really puzzled why the NY AG has not shut this scam down. But then this is New York, the capital of scam businesses.

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Deborah Checkwood
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Aug 23, 2007 12:00 am EDT

I wish I had researched the company before I ordered Auto Week magazine from them. After 9 weeks and many attempts to get through their maze of contacting them I still have had no response or magazine. I called Auto Week directly and they were very helpful - they offered to send me a year's subscription at no charge once I faxed them my receipt from Magsforless.com showing I had paid on a credit card. There are good companies out there JUST STAY AWAY FROM MAGSFORLESS.COM - it's not worth trying to save a few dollars!

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Ray Estolano
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Aug 03, 2007 12:00 am EDT

I urge everyone to stay away from Magsforless. I placed an order last July for several magazines, received none of the magazines and no refund, though I have emailed and called the company over 100 times. They respond with automated emails and are, I believe, a complete and utter fraud. I wonder if anyone gets magazines from them?

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Karen Galas
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Jul 14, 2007 12:00 am EDT

On 3/17/07 I ordered and paid for 2 magazine subscriptions. I received an email confirmation and my cc was charged. In early July I began emailing to get a status and as 7/14/07 have still not been contacted in any way. All attempts using their website is futile, nothing but an infinite circle... where they don't recognize the order number and therefore can't provide any status. Email to CS and info is returned with an automated message that sends you back to the website that doesn't work.

They 888 number on my cc bill does not work. I will now write to the magazines directly but I believe it is too late to get a refund on my cc as it is past 90 days.

Sweet setup for them... pure fraud.

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Jim
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Jan 17, 2007 12:00 am EST

I placed three subscriptions of magazines from magsforless.com starting March 2006, but none of the magazines ever showed, yet my credit card was billed almost immediately.

I used their online customer-service form to inquire about the magazines. Two or three days later, I received a reply from a "Megan Richards" saying that there was some technical glitches and my subscriptions did not go through. The message assured me that she would be rushing a subscription for me.

I waited for another two months before I realize something was still wrong. I filed another inquiry about a later subscription, and guess what? Almost an exact message from this "Megan Richards" came back, saying that was a technical glitch and she would rush another order for me.

Having worked in the IT fields for most of career, I realize that the email was most likely generated by some automated computer. I found their phone number on the credit card statement, but no one was there to pick it up, and the messagebox was full so I couldn't even leave a message (it wouldn't have worked anyways).

Even if it were true, that there were indeed technical glitches, I don't think they should be allowed to do business. Imagine every time you go to an airport to checkin and are told that due to some tech glitches, you flight reservation didn't go through. How many times could this happen before that airline got sued? Probably very few. Yet magsforless.com is still alive and kicking! If they have so many problems, someone ought to stop them from doing business until they have solved their problems!

But the story gets better. In November, I received an email from their customer-service VP named "Andrew Melville" who gave me the assurance that my concerns would be addressed. I fell for it. I filed another customer inquiry according to his instructions int he email. Then nothing happened, again, for another 2 months. On Jan 11 2007, there was another email from this Andrew Melville, which stated that "I wanted to personally confirm that all your concerns were addressed to your satisfaction by the customer service team here at MagsForLess."

I felt being insulted. So I wrote him (if he is real) back, saying that I was surprised to hear from him again. Then I told him that I think of magsforless as nothing but a scam, a fraud. Then I said the only way to change my opinion is to see my magazines being delivered, and I asked him to give me an acknowledgment upon receiving my email. But just as I thought, an automated computer wouldn't give me any acknowledgment.

So I want to file this report and let everyone know what a shameless fraud it is. Stay away from magsforless.

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CJ Gothart
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Jul 24, 2007 12:00 am EDT

On 2/17/07 I ordered two subscriptions and have not received either one yet. I went to their support ID and opened two tickets for the orders. Confirmations were immediately sent to my email address, but I have had no response. When I tried to go back into the support center, it no longer recognizes me. They also have no number listed, but on my credit card statement, there was an [protected] with MAGS411.com on the statement. It is always busy, no answer. I even called directly to the magazines customer service. They had no record of Magforless entering my order and said they have heard from other customers inquiring about orders placed though Magsforless.

I would caution anyone falling for the low prices. Getting burned once, far outweighs the potential of saving a few dollars.

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Withheld
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Dec 08, 2006 12:00 am EST

I received the following message on Dec 06, 2006 and only after I initiated a response. The scam is to keep pushing you off 4-12 weeks until either you forget about your order or until the allowed time for a charge-back has expired. BUYER BEWARE THIS COMPANY TAKES YOUR MONEY AND DOESN'T DELIVER THE GOODS!

I do apologize for the inconvenience. I located the order you are referring to and was able to identify the problem with getting your subscription processed.

The issue has now been corrected. I went ahead and personally resubmitted your order to the publisher and put a rush on it. You should receive your magazine within the next 4-12 weeks.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation on this matter. I'm glad we could get this resolved and look forward to assisting you with your future magazine subscription needs.

Best Regards,
Meagen Richards,
MagsForLess Customer Support
meagen@magsforless.com
http://www.magsforless.com

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Mac McDonald
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Jun 04, 2007 12:00 am EDT

[protected] - Leave a message NOW... for JOEL L SIMKHAI

Using http://www.zabasearch.com I retrieved following which had a matching address for this JOEL which matched a post from another person on this complaint board. IMPORTANT: THERE IS A DIRECT DIAL PHONE LISTED... I will be calling it often to ask for my refund - Will YOU be calling too? Good luck - and call that number and say... SHOW ME THE MONEY!

http://www.zabasearch.com/query1_zaba.php?sname=Joel%20Simkhai&state=NY&ref=$ref&se=$se&doby=&city=&name_style=1

I ordered a renewal of my Sports Illustrated subscription on March 9, 2006 since it was to expire by July, 2006. Sports Illustrated has no record of being contacted about this renewal.

I have emailed this company several times and have received no response. The phone number listed above is an answering machine which gives the following message: “Thank you for calling. Goodbye.”

According to the New York Better Business Bureau, there have been several complaints vs. this firm. In checking opinions.com, numerous people have also complained about not receiving their subscriptions. BUYERS BEWARE!

S. R.
Details:
Magazine subscription serviceMagsForLess.com

Location: 41 West 72nd Street, 10G
New York, NY 10023
Phone: [protected]
Fax: [protected]

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Mohammad M Rahman
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Apr 24, 2007 12:00 am EDT

I paid for a subscription for 'The New Yorker' through magsforless.com using my credit card in Aug 2006. It is nine months since then, I have neither received any magazine nor any refunds and no reply to my numerous complaints. There is no telephone number to contact them and I have had the impression that they are bunch of thieves given to stealing customer money. There are thousands of customers like me who are being daily cheated by them and yet they are still in business and no one is taking any criminal action against the company.

Beware people!

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Betty G
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Apr 20, 2007 12:00 am EDT

They took my order fast enough, 3 months later I'm still waiting for my magazines. Today I am going into my bank to file a dispute before time expires on that. The whole set up seems to be to drag you on with polite emails of "we're working on it, wait another 4 to 12 weeks" until you can no longer dispute the charge with your bank and you still get no magazines. I'm also filing complaints with the BBB and attorney generals office.

I'm getting my money back today before they take that opportunity away from me too. I advise anyone who has an outstanding order to run to your bank today and dispute the fraudulent charge. You will never get your magazines!

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Kevin Karras
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May 30, 2007 12:00 am EDT

Like other posts I ordered on July 26, 2006 and never received my magazines. I did get an email saying they were sorry and would credit me. No credit. I called the phone number listed with the charge on my credit card and got a voice message to leave information about my subscription but in the end you get a "mail box full". The credit card company said that I don't have a legal recourse to dispute because is has been too long. Don't do business with this company.

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H. Slusser
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Nov 08, 2006 12:00 am EST

Mags For Less is a web site offering magazine subscriptions at a discounted price. On their site they say they are located in New York, but I was unable to locate them that way. I ordered and paid for a magazine subscription on-line June 27, 2006 and when Mags For Less confirmed my order via email it said to expect the magazine in four to six weeks. After seven weeks, I emailed Mags For Less using their website and received the following response:

I do apologize for the inconvenience. When I looked up your account I found the order you are referring to and found there was a problem processing your subscription from the publisher. Unfortunately at times publishers reject our orders due to improperly formatted mailing address, incomplete zip code etc. I went ahead and personally resubmitted your order to the publisher and put a rush on it. You should receive your magazine within 4-12 weeks.

Best Regards,
Meagen Richards,
MagsForLess Customer Support
meagen@magsforless.com
http://www.magsforless.com

So, I waited another nine weeks and received nothing. I started emailing them again using their site and have not received a response since. I finally tracked down the number from my credit card for Mags For Less parent company MY1MAG.COM which is [protected]. When I called, it sounded professional, but ended up routing me to a mailbox that was "full." That would not happen at a legitimate company that is still in business. To make things worse, I tried to dispute the charge with my credit card company MBNA and they told me you have 60 days from the charge date to dispute it. So I am out $86.99.

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Anastasia Diamond
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May 20, 2007 12:00 am EDT

I ordered two magazines from Magsforless on June 10, 2006. This company billed my credit card and received their payment. However, after a number of months without receiving my renewal magazines, I checked their website for the status of my order, which showed it was completed. On January 20, 2007 I emailed a complaint to the company and received a phone call from a female representative stating they found the problem, apologized, and promised immediate delivery. I still haven't received the magazines. Today is May 20, 2007. I went to their website again. This time I requested a complete refund, which is supposed to be issued to me within the next 14 days. This company appears to be a complete fraud. Is there a class action suit being formed against them? If not, there most certainly should be... Buyer beware!

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Mags For Less IS SUCK
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Sep 26, 2008 5:29 pm EDT

All of their phone numbers are either disconntected / just voice mails. No real person will anwser your phone calls.

Joel Simkhai, President
[protected]
[protected]
[protected]
[protected]

They also do business with the following names. Please make sure you do not buy from them, too.

halfpricedmags
halfpricedmags.com

My1 Mag
My1Mag.com

SnappyMags.com

Check these websites, forums out for more and more and more complaints about this company, and how they steal money from people.

All MagsForLess.com does is TO SCREW UP PEOPLE!

http://search.newyork.bbb.org/reports.aspx?pid=44&page=1&id=79430

http://www.epinions.com/pr-Online_Stores_Services-MagsForLess_com

http://www.epinions.com/pr-Online_Stores_Services-MagsForLess

http://www.ozzu.com/general-discussion/mags-for-less-t69935.html

http://www.complaints.com/directory/2006/october/18/44.htm

http://search.complaints.com/search?btnG=Search%2BComplaints.com&output=xml_no_dtd&sort=date%253AD%253AL%253Ad1&client=complaints&oe=UTF-8&ie=UTF-8&proxystylesheet=complaints&site=complaints&q=Mags+For+Less

http://consumerist.com/consumer/magsforless/avoid-magsforlesscom-224669.php

http://www.fatwallet.com/forums/retailerratings/displaystore.php?storeid=1640

http://www.dotcult.com/magsforlesscom-ripped-me-off

http://www.planetfeedback.com/wwwmagsforlesscom/delivery/magazine+subscription/298788

http://www.viewpoints.com/MagsForLess-com-reviews

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Mags For Less IS SUCK
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Sep 26, 2008 5:26 pm EDT

I placed a magazine subscription order on MagsForLess.com back in 5/29/08. According to the email Mags For Less sent me on 5/29/08, my order was confirmed, and the first issue will arrive within six to eight weeks from the time the order is placed.

I had been waiting for over 10 weeks, but there was still no magazine sent to me. Therefore, I emailed them @ questions@magsforless.com on 8/7/08 to check the status. JAMIE DAVIS @ MAGSFORLESS SUPPORT replied me on 8/9/08 to say they sincerely apologize for the delay. They located my order and was able resolve the problem. I will receive my first issue in the mail within six weeks.

Another six weeks was gone. I email JAMIE DAVIS @ MAGSFORLESS SUPPORT again on 9/17/08 to check what is going on with my order because I still have not receive anything. I got no response from JAMIE DAVIS @ MAGSFORLESS SUPPORT. So I keep emailing them once everyday. Unfortunately, they never reply me again.

This company is a scam. They told me on 8/9/08 that I'll receive my first issue within six weeks (which I never receive) just because they could buy more time, so I won't be able to file chargeback with my credit card company after 3 months. Now they took my money, but never send me anything, nor reply to my email. I am screwed!

No one should buy from magsforless.com no more!

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Chanda Wagner
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May 07, 2007 12:00 am EDT

On Dec. 23 2006 I ordered 3 subscriptions for 3 different mags from Magsforless.com. After 14 weeks I still hadn't received the mags so I e-mailed them and got this reply:

~I do apologize for the inconvenience. I located the orders you are referring to and was able to identify the problem with getting your subscriptions processed. The issue has been corrected. I can go ahead and personally resubmit your orders to the publisher and put a rush on it. You would receive your magazine within the next 4-12 weeks. If you do not want to wait any longer I can issue a refund to your account. Please let me know which you would prefer to do.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation on this matter.

I told them I wanted a refund and then~

Reply:

I understand your frustration. I am assigning your ticket to the Refunds Manager. You should see a refund posted to your account in the next 4-5 business days.

Thank you for your patience and cooperation in this matter.

Needless to say the Refund NEVER came~

Next Reply:

I understand your frustration. I am assigning your ticket to the Refunds Manager. Thank you for your patience and cooperation in this matter.

After getting the same reply one more time followed by many ignored e-mails I finally received this e-mail.

Follow-up by Meagan - MagsForLess Support Apr 27, 2007 14:56 EST.

We know you are waiting on a response to your email. We are currently in the process of upgrading our systems and will reply to you shortly. Don't worry, we promise that we will get your issue resolved to your full satisfaction.

Thanks for understanding.

As of May 7th I still haven't received any refund. In my opinion WORST COMPANY / CUSTOMER SERVICE EVER!

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Lynn Fairchild Martin
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Feb 06, 2008 12:00 am EST

Like a bunch of others that I've found online now, Magsforless.com ripped me off for four magazine subscriptions and gave me the same e-mail run-around that they gave to everyone else. Of course, there is no other contact info, so... Ironically, they're advertising on this, very site. They're still out there ripping people off!

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Beth Tucker
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Nov 28, 2007 12:00 am EST

Like most people here, I have ordered a renewal and have never received it. I have emailed them several times and received answers to two of the emails, the same canned responses that others have received, however I have not had a response to my most recent emails. The website just keeps creating ticket numbers. I will now contact the state Attorney General's office and the better business bureau.

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Keith
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Jul 27, 2007 12:00 am EDT

There is a hold on the pending magsforless.com class action lawsuit... Email the owner Joel at Owner@magsforless.com or at JSimkhai@magsforless.com with your order # if you still have it and he will send you your refund. He has refunded every person currently on our list so I do have faith that he will do the right thing.

Keith

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Joe
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Jun 12, 2007 12:00 am EDT

Do Not Buy From This Company! I have read several complaints and mine is typical. I ordered $31 in magazines in mid Feb 2007. When they didn't come after many weeks I sent an email. They asked me to be patient and that they would arrive soon. This ploy worked to get them past the date when I could dispute the credit card charge. Since then they have ignored my repeated emails.

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Gloria Sixt
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May 14, 2007 12:00 am EDT

I've attempted to contact this company several times since ordering in January 2007, and to date I have not rec'd a response from them nor have I rec'd my magazine for which I paid. My last correspondence with them was in april and was promised a reply as to why within 48 hours. I'm still waiting. Efforts to get them online to register a complaint have been unsuccessful as well.

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Deborah Dibert
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Jul 21, 2007 12:00 am EDT

I ordered 6 magazines in Sept. 2006. 2 magazines were Christmas gifts and neither were ever received. I kept getting the run around. Iwas told there was a backlog at the publishers. All of it is bogus. They need to have their website taken away. It's a B-I-G scam!

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Christopher Kell
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Jul 09, 2007 12:00 am EDT

Placed two orders and never received magazines. Attempted to contact the company with no reply like everyone else. I have filed a complaint with the BBB.

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William Perez
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Nov 18, 2008 4:15 pm EST

I made an order a few years ago myself. I never received a magazine nor my money. Luckily, my order was not costly. But, the aggravation of getting contant promises really pissed me off. Still does, even to the point that I am still trying to find those criminals.

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Rita
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Oct 31, 2008 8:50 am EDT

I too am having big trouble w/magsforless.com. 7/29/08 I ordered the Economist $42.99. My cc was charged but 17 wks later no magazine. They do not respond to my requests. I definitely would not recommend them. I believe it's a scam. I should have known when they didn't have a phone number on the website. Live and learn!

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Reynold Andrewsikas
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May 10, 2008 8:10 pm EDT

I ordered mags, but like all the others never received them. If you have money to burn, then order from them, but you will get screwed.

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Lewis Williams
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Mar 27, 2008 5:54 pm EDT

This information is certainly true
The company took my money and never delivered any magazines (almost 80.00)
They will not contact you. They keep putting you off with automated e-mails until the grace period runs out on your credit card.
I have complained to the Better Business Bureau and Yahoo about them.

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Amy D
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Feb 21, 2008 8:22 pm EST

Exact same experience for me. Placed my order in August 2007 and now it is February 2008 and still no magazines, no response from anyone at the "company", no refund, etc. I am utterly disgusted. I order off the internet all the time and have NEVER been ripped off before. I am very angry and upset by these SCAMMERS!

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CScott
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Feb 05, 2008 12:18 am EST

I agree with this article 100%.

Joel Simkhai MagsForLess.com, I don't believe a word you say.
You ripped me off in 2006 and I continue to spread the word about what a con you are. I hope you really enjoy my $10.68 cause in me you purchased a life long content of bad PR buddy. I will never stop telling people about you. People like you make me sick, cause you leech off the poorest people at the bottom, who can't pay for high dollar subscription. I hope and pray that someday as you cross the street a very large and heavy trucks brakes fail.

CScott

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Justin B
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Jan 11, 2008 8:15 am EST

Please forward all complaints regarding MagsForLess to -

Justin Brookman
Assistant Attorney General - Internet Bureau
State of New York Office of the Attorney General
120 Broadway
New York, NY 10271
(t) 212.416.8196
(f) 212.416.8369
justin.brookman@oag.state.ny.us

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Samantha Bostic
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Dec 16, 2007 9:33 am EST

I previously ordered magazines from this company and had no problems. I placed an order in October of 2006 and havee not received it yet. Each time I complain I am asked to wait 4 to 8 more weeks. Don't do business with this company. I'm filing a complaint with the NY Better Business Bureau.

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DCB
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Dec 07, 2007 2:55 pm EST

Just to add to the ditto pile... same deal, seven months, no magazine, same reply from megan, fortunately only out $8. Forwarded all correspondence to: Justin.Brookman@oag.state.ny.us

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Derek S
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Dec 06, 2007 3:44 pm EST

If Joel Simkhai is not in jail by February of 2008, I am personally going to see to it that he never rips off another customer. Karma is a wonderful thing.

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Diana Yonan
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Nov 10, 2007 4:05 pm EST

I ordered several subscriptions, but only received one and i don't think they are coming anymore, i only received about 4 issues from one magazine, however i ordered 4 subscriptions, luckily it was cheap, and i seem to be the lucky one!

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Neil Katz
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Nov 05, 2007 5:29 am EST

I had the same experience as everyone else. I order a magazine last July (2006) and never received the magazines. After numerous complaints, I finally gave up, figuring it was not worth the hustle anymore. Imagine my surprise when this past Saturday (Nov 2 2007), I received a check from an outfit named PMR Enterprises LLC for the amount of my subscription, with a notation "magsforless refund". I guess no good deed goes unpunished after all.

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derek
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Oct 18, 2007 5:24 pm EDT

This jerk off guy screwed me too! I am going to get my money back regardless!

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Valerie Sedaghat
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Oct 10, 2007 6:40 pm EDT

Hi Joel,

Long time no hear. I did email you directly on April 4, 2007. Order ID 254612. I still have not seen my refund. I am a firm believer in "what goes around comes around".

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Angela Molinas
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Oct 01, 2007 8:36 pm EDT

I ordered a 3-year subscription to TV Guide for my sister in August 2005. Months and months went by, and still no magazines. So I e-mailed "Jeff," and got the same e-mail reply as the others here:

I do apologize for the inconvenience. When I looked up your account I found the order you are referring to and found there was a problem processing your subscription from the publisher. Unfortunately at times publishers reject our orders due to improperly formatted mailing address, incomplete zip code etc. I went ahead and personally resubmitted your order to the publisher and put a rush on it. You should receive your magazine within 4-12 weeks.

Best Regards,
Meagen Richards,
MagsForLess Customer Support
meagen@magsforless.com
http://www.magsforless.com

More and more months passed, and again, no magazines came. It didn't take an Einstein to figure out I'd been scammed. If it were just for me, I might not be as upset as I am. But this subscription was a gift for my sister, who is not well and lives in a home on an extremely limited income. She finally got tired of waiting and paid for her own subscription directly through TV Guide.

Caveat emptor!